Chad Pavlekovich, a science teacher at Salisbury Middle School, was recognized for his outstanding work in the classroom when he was named 2011-12 Wicomico Teacher of the Year March 24. Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen and Board of Education President L. Michelle Wright announced the honor at the end of the annual Wicomico Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet at the Commons at Salisbury University.
His “hands on approach to the concepts he teaches in science inspires his students to learn,” wrote the person who nominated Pavlekovich for Teacher of the Year. “Whether it is astronomy, chemistry, physics or life science, Chad is always going the extra mile to get his students involved in the classroom.”
As Wicomico Teacher of the Year, Pavlekovich represents the county's more than 1,249 teachers. He also represents the outstanding staff of Salisbury Middle, whose roster of educators includes 2004 Maryland Teacher of the Year Aaron Deal, 1996-97 Wicomico Teacher of the Year Bev Elzey, and 1987-88 Wicomico Teacher of the Year Dawn Neville .
Pavlekovich holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Salisbury University, and began working for Wicomico County Public Schools in 2001 as a science teacher at Salisbury Middle School (SMS). His commitment to helping all students understand and appreciate science extends beyond the classroom to events such as the SMS Science Nights (recognized nationally by NNPS and Johns Hopkins), the SMS STEM Academy, the “Blast-Off” Summer Scholars Program at Wor-Wic Community College, the “From Stars to Stegosaurs” Summer Enrichment program for elementary students, and the SMS Punkin Chunkin. He excels as a leader at SMS, acting as Instructional Leadership Team co-chair, team leader, and mentor. He has previously been recognized for M.A.S.T. Excellence in Science Teaching, Salisbury University Outstanding Mentor Teacher, and Wicomico County Environmental Teacher of the Year.
The new Teacher of the Year will begin his year in style, arriving at Salisbury Middle School at 9 a.m. Friday chauffeured in a classic 1949 Buick provided for the occasion by Wicomico music teacher and auto enthusiast Buck Burton. Pavlekovich will be featured, along with this year's 26 other semi-finalists, in a "Working Together for Children" Teacher of the Year special on PAC 14.
Later this year, Pavlekovich will represent Wicomico County Public Schools in the Maryland Teacher of the Year contest. Wicomico is proud to have two former Maryland Teachers of the Year, Bonnie Walston and Deal, working in the school system on behalf of students.
Top Teachers
The annual Teacher of the Year Banquet spotlights not just the year's most outstanding teacher, but all Wicomico educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a commitment to excellence, dedication to teaching the children of the community, and professional achievement, said Karen Leimann, coordinator of the Teacher of the Year Program.
Twenty-seven semi-finalists were selected to undergo an interview with a blue-ribbon judging panel of former Wicomico teachers of the year. Based on results from the interview and a writing exercise, the judging panel chose a finalist to represent each school level. Finalists were, in addition to Pavlekovich for the middle school level: Susan Jones, Grade 1 teacher, Fruitland Primary School; Christy Briggs, Grade 5 reading teacher, Fruitland Intermediate School; and Chris Grande, History teacher, Parkside High School.
The other semi-finalists for 2011-12 Wicomico Teacher of the Year were:
Tammy Adams, Grade 3 Reading teacher, East Salisbury Elementary School
Jessica Atkins, Grade 5 teacher, Glen Avenue Elementary School
Donna Bennett, Grade 3 teacher, Northwestern Elementary School
Sheila M. Edwards, Prekindergarten teacher, Pinehurst Elementary School
Jennifer Fenzel, Grade 5 teacher, Westside Intermediate School
Brooke Fleetwood, Kindergarten teacher, Delmar Elementary School
Casey Foltz, Art teacher, James M. Bennett High School
Pam Hall, Special Education teacher/case manager, Wicomico Infants & Toddlers Program
Sherri Harkins, Foreign Language Elementary School (FLES)/French teacher, Pittsville Elementary and Middle School
Jana Hobbs, Band Director, Wicomico Middle School
Rosemarie Leonard, Title I Math teacher, Beaver Run Elementary School
Patrick McGlinchey, History teacher, Wicomico High School
Elizabeth McQuown, Special Education teacher, Wicomico Early Learning Center
Kairlyn Miles-Smith, Science teacher, Choices
DeAnna Richardson, Grade 2 teacher, Prince Street Elementary School
Josefina Rodriguez, Grade 4 teacher, Pemberton Elementary School
Michelle Schlegel, Kindergarten teacher, Charles H. Chipman Elementary
Debbie Simpkins, Grade 2 teacher, Willards Elementary School
Christen Tacka, Grade 6 Reading/English/Language Arts teacher, Mardela Middle and High School
Deb Tobin, Title I teacher, West Salisbury Elementary School
Jeff Williams, Technology Education teacher, Bennett Middle School
Nicole Williams, Grade 1 teacher, Westside Primary School
Teresa Williams, Grade 3 Math teacher, North Salisbury Elementary Magnet
Friend of Education
Each year at the Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet, Wicomico also honors a "Friend of Education" who has generously supported Wicomico schoolchildren and schools. This year’s recipient of the Friend of Education Award was PAC 14. On almost any day of the year, Public Access Channel 14 - better known as PAC 14 -- provides programming that supports the efforts of our students, teachers and staff, and, just as importantly, children and families. Under the leadership of former General Manager Mike Goodson and current Interim Executive Director Creig Twilley, PAC 14 Inc. and its staff have provided encouragement, technical knowhow and feedback for the production of a number of programs that highlight education.
Business Sponsors of the Wicomico Teacher of the Year Program
The Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Banquet is sponsored or supported by a number of generous businesses and organizations.
Gold Level: CareFirst
Silver Level: Association of Public School Administrators & Supervisors, Atlantic Pumping Inc., Bank of Delmarva, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, W. R. McCain & Associates, Salisbury University Alumni Association
Bronze Level: Becker Morgan Group, Davis, Bowen, & Friedel, Dr. Carolyn Elmore, First Shore Federal Savings & Loan, Gordy Tiger Mart, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Goslee, Princess Anne Chapter of The Links, Inc., and Wicomico County Council of PTAs
In-kind Donors: Acorn Market, Among Friends, Barb’s Gift & Hallmark Shop, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Bubba’s Place, Buck Burton, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle Mexican Grill, City Florist, Classic Cakes, Clear Channel Outdoor, Culinary Arts Students of Parkside High School CTE, Dell Computers, Delmarva Shorebirds, Eastside Deli, Educational Supplies, Inc. , Fancy Fingers, Fractured Prune the Donut Shop, G. B. Heron & Co., Goin’ Nuts Café, Greene Turtle, Instructional Resource Center, Kitty’s Flowers, Kuhn’s Jewelers, La Tolteca Mexican Restaurant, LORA: Local Owner Restaurant Association, Old West Steakhouse, Olive Garden, PAC 14, Plaza Tapatia, Quizno’s, Red Door Sub Shop, Rise Up Coffee, Route 12 Pizza, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Salisbury University, Specific Gravity, Subside Deli, Twisted Pretzel, The Daily Times, and Viva Espresso
His “hands on approach to the concepts he teaches in science inspires his students to learn,” wrote the person who nominated Pavlekovich for Teacher of the Year. “Whether it is astronomy, chemistry, physics or life science, Chad is always going the extra mile to get his students involved in the classroom.”
As Wicomico Teacher of the Year, Pavlekovich represents the county's more than 1,249 teachers. He also represents the outstanding staff of Salisbury Middle, whose roster of educators includes 2004 Maryland Teacher of the Year Aaron Deal, 1996-97 Wicomico Teacher of the Year Bev Elzey, and 1987-88 Wicomico Teacher of the Year Dawn Neville .
Pavlekovich holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Salisbury University, and began working for Wicomico County Public Schools in 2001 as a science teacher at Salisbury Middle School (SMS). His commitment to helping all students understand and appreciate science extends beyond the classroom to events such as the SMS Science Nights (recognized nationally by NNPS and Johns Hopkins), the SMS STEM Academy, the “Blast-Off” Summer Scholars Program at Wor-Wic Community College, the “From Stars to Stegosaurs” Summer Enrichment program for elementary students, and the SMS Punkin Chunkin. He excels as a leader at SMS, acting as Instructional Leadership Team co-chair, team leader, and mentor. He has previously been recognized for M.A.S.T. Excellence in Science Teaching, Salisbury University Outstanding Mentor Teacher, and Wicomico County Environmental Teacher of the Year.
The new Teacher of the Year will begin his year in style, arriving at Salisbury Middle School at 9 a.m. Friday chauffeured in a classic 1949 Buick provided for the occasion by Wicomico music teacher and auto enthusiast Buck Burton. Pavlekovich will be featured, along with this year's 26 other semi-finalists, in a "Working Together for Children" Teacher of the Year special on PAC 14.
Later this year, Pavlekovich will represent Wicomico County Public Schools in the Maryland Teacher of the Year contest. Wicomico is proud to have two former Maryland Teachers of the Year, Bonnie Walston and Deal, working in the school system on behalf of students.
Top Teachers
The annual Teacher of the Year Banquet spotlights not just the year's most outstanding teacher, but all Wicomico educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a commitment to excellence, dedication to teaching the children of the community, and professional achievement, said Karen Leimann, coordinator of the Teacher of the Year Program.
Twenty-seven semi-finalists were selected to undergo an interview with a blue-ribbon judging panel of former Wicomico teachers of the year. Based on results from the interview and a writing exercise, the judging panel chose a finalist to represent each school level. Finalists were, in addition to Pavlekovich for the middle school level: Susan Jones, Grade 1 teacher, Fruitland Primary School; Christy Briggs, Grade 5 reading teacher, Fruitland Intermediate School; and Chris Grande, History teacher, Parkside High School.
The other semi-finalists for 2011-12 Wicomico Teacher of the Year were:
Tammy Adams, Grade 3 Reading teacher, East Salisbury Elementary School
Jessica Atkins, Grade 5 teacher, Glen Avenue Elementary School
Donna Bennett, Grade 3 teacher, Northwestern Elementary School
Sheila M. Edwards, Prekindergarten teacher, Pinehurst Elementary School
Jennifer Fenzel, Grade 5 teacher, Westside Intermediate School
Brooke Fleetwood, Kindergarten teacher, Delmar Elementary School
Casey Foltz, Art teacher, James M. Bennett High School
Pam Hall, Special Education teacher/case manager, Wicomico Infants & Toddlers Program
Sherri Harkins, Foreign Language Elementary School (FLES)/French teacher, Pittsville Elementary and Middle School
Jana Hobbs, Band Director, Wicomico Middle School
Rosemarie Leonard, Title I Math teacher, Beaver Run Elementary School
Patrick McGlinchey, History teacher, Wicomico High School
Elizabeth McQuown, Special Education teacher, Wicomico Early Learning Center
Kairlyn Miles-Smith, Science teacher, Choices
DeAnna Richardson, Grade 2 teacher, Prince Street Elementary School
Josefina Rodriguez, Grade 4 teacher, Pemberton Elementary School
Michelle Schlegel, Kindergarten teacher, Charles H. Chipman Elementary
Debbie Simpkins, Grade 2 teacher, Willards Elementary School
Christen Tacka, Grade 6 Reading/English/Language Arts teacher, Mardela Middle and High School
Deb Tobin, Title I teacher, West Salisbury Elementary School
Jeff Williams, Technology Education teacher, Bennett Middle School
Nicole Williams, Grade 1 teacher, Westside Primary School
Teresa Williams, Grade 3 Math teacher, North Salisbury Elementary Magnet
Friend of Education
Each year at the Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet, Wicomico also honors a "Friend of Education" who has generously supported Wicomico schoolchildren and schools. This year’s recipient of the Friend of Education Award was PAC 14. On almost any day of the year, Public Access Channel 14 - better known as PAC 14 -- provides programming that supports the efforts of our students, teachers and staff, and, just as importantly, children and families. Under the leadership of former General Manager Mike Goodson and current Interim Executive Director Creig Twilley, PAC 14 Inc. and its staff have provided encouragement, technical knowhow and feedback for the production of a number of programs that highlight education.
Business Sponsors of the Wicomico Teacher of the Year Program
The Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Banquet is sponsored or supported by a number of generous businesses and organizations.
Gold Level: CareFirst
Silver Level: Association of Public School Administrators & Supervisors, Atlantic Pumping Inc., Bank of Delmarva, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, W. R. McCain & Associates, Salisbury University Alumni Association
Bronze Level: Becker Morgan Group, Davis, Bowen, & Friedel, Dr. Carolyn Elmore, First Shore Federal Savings & Loan, Gordy Tiger Mart, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Goslee, Princess Anne Chapter of The Links, Inc., and Wicomico County Council of PTAs
In-kind Donors: Acorn Market, Among Friends, Barb’s Gift & Hallmark Shop, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Bubba’s Place, Buck Burton, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle Mexican Grill, City Florist, Classic Cakes, Clear Channel Outdoor, Culinary Arts Students of Parkside High School CTE, Dell Computers, Delmarva Shorebirds, Eastside Deli, Educational Supplies, Inc. , Fancy Fingers, Fractured Prune the Donut Shop, G. B. Heron & Co., Goin’ Nuts Café, Greene Turtle, Instructional Resource Center, Kitty’s Flowers, Kuhn’s Jewelers, La Tolteca Mexican Restaurant, LORA: Local Owner Restaurant Association, Old West Steakhouse, Olive Garden, PAC 14, Plaza Tapatia, Quizno’s, Red Door Sub Shop, Rise Up Coffee, Route 12 Pizza, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Salisbury University, Specific Gravity, Subside Deli, Twisted Pretzel, The Daily Times, and Viva Espresso
1 comment:
Congratulations Chad!
As a former middle school science teacher, I know that you work hard everyday and I'm sure you deserve your award.
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